These are our top-performing small kitchen appliances that consistently outshine the competition.
Small appliances are essential for any kitchen, offering a wide range of functions like blending, chopping, boiling, baking, and roasting. The best ones are either multitaskers or specialized tools that make specific tasks, such as egg cooking or waffle making, effortless. They should also be compact, affordable, and easy to store, making them a practical choice for any space.
After countless hours of testing in both lab and home settings, we’ve pinpointed the top small appliances that stand out for their efficiency and versatility. Whether you’re outfitting your kitchen for the first time or upgrading your tools, a few high-performing, space-saving appliances can make a world of difference. Here are some of our top recommendations for simplifying your kitchen routine.
Panasonic Oven with Cyclonic Wave Inverter Technology
| Pros | Cons |
| This energy-efficient microwave excelled in testing and offered even heating in each test. | Its exterior isn’t the most exciting to look at. |
For perfectly cooked meals without soggy centers or overly crisp edges, this Panasonic microwave stands out. Its innovative “Cyclonic Wave Inverter” technology ensures even cooking by using an inverter circuit to deliver a consistent stream of power at the desired level throughout the cooking process. This approach not only improves cooking performance but also boosts energy efficiency.
During our testing, this microwave outperformed others by heating food faster and more evenly. It also includes convenient pre-set options like Popcorn, Quick 30, and Coffee/Milk, making it a versatile choice for everyday use.
Zwilling Enfinigy Electric Kettle Pro
| Pros | Cons |
| We loved the thoughtful design and luxurious features of this kettle. | This model is pricey compared to similar kettles. |
This electric kettle impressed us during testing, thanks to its thoughtful double-walled design that keeps the exterior cool to the touch—a valuable safety feature. It boasts six temperature settings for precise brewing and includes a handy “keep warm” button, so you won’t need to reboil the water if you get distracted.
Available in silver, pink, black, and gold, this kettle’s sleek exterior adds a stylish touch to any kitchen. Its combination of functionality and design makes it a standout choice.
Ninja Air Fry Countertop Oven
| Pros | Cons |
| This oven hits all the marks on power and extra features, especially for its compact design. | The start/stop button juts out when the oven is flipped up, which can be a hazard if accidentally pressed. |
If you’d prefer to combine an air fryer and toaster into one appliance, an air fryer toaster oven is the perfect solution. This Ninja model goes a step further with its innovative design—it folds flat against the wall when not in use, freeing up valuable counter space.
Despite its compact size, this air fryer toaster oven packs a punch. Its powerful heating element delivers excellent browning and broiling results, and it’s versatile enough to bake cookies or dehydrate fruit. With its dual functionality and space-saving design, it’s a must-have for any kitchen.
Nesco VS-12 Vacuum Sealer
| Pros | Cons |
| Beginner-friendly and incredibly versatile, it performs well even when handling the most delicate of foods. | Too much liquid in the bag can make moist sealing difficult. |
A vacuum sealer is a sleek and compact appliance that delivers significant benefits in the kitchen. Whether you’re preserving ingredients on the verge of spoiling or preparing food for sous vide cooking, this handy tool is a game-changer.
During our testing, this model stood out for its exceptional performance, particularly with delicate items. It’s incredibly user-friendly, making it a perfect choice for chefs of all skill levels.
Nutri Bullet Personal Blender
| Pros | Cons |
| We loved the power this small blender brought and its clever design. | This blender only has an on/off setting without any specialized buttons. |
The Nutri Bullet is a household name for good reason—it’s one of the best personal blender brands available, and it consistently delivers excellent performance. The Nutri Bullet 600W, much like its 900W counterpart, is a versatile addition to any kitchen. Its generously sized carafe eliminates the need for a bulky full-sized blender, making it perfect for whipping up extra-large morning smoothies.
During our testing, we were impressed by its clever design. The carafe’s lid doubles as the blade, locking directly into the base for seamless use and easy storage. Its simplicity is another highlight—there are no buttons, just snap it in and blend.
While this model may not be ideal for tasks requiring varied power or precise blending control, it excels as a straightforward, no-frills option. If reliability and ease of use are your priorities, this is the blender for you.
Beeville The Barista Express Espresso Machine
| Pros | Cons |
| This machine has every possible setting and accessory you could want from an espresso machine and is half the space you’d expect. Cons | It can be complicated to use and isn’t beginner-friendly. |
For a coffee shop experience at home without the bulk of a full-sized espresso machine, this compact model is a perfect choice. During our testing of the best espresso machines, this one stood out for its thoughtful design and exceptional performance.
Despite its small size, it includes a high-quality burr grinder, milk frothier, pitcher, filter, and built-in tamper—all the tools you need for crafting professional-quality espresso. With expert settings and controls for filtering, grinding, and cleaning, you can customize every cup to suit your exact preferences.
Cuisinart Food Processor
| Pros | Cons |
| We loved this food processor’s powerful motor and pour spout. | Interchanging the attachments can be difficult. |
This food processor is a standout for its simplicity and performance. With just on/off and pulse settings, it’s incredibly easy to use and leaves little room for error. The large 14-cup bowl is perfect for preparing everything from dips and batters to sauces and pesto’s, making it a versatile addition to any kitchen.
During testing, it consistently delivered top-notch results, effortlessly handling even our most demanding tasks. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cook, this food processor is a reliable and worthwhile investment.
Aroma Housewares 8-Cup Rice Cooker
| Pros | Cons |
| It produced the best rice in all of our testing, and its several functions are a bonus. | Dishwashing may affect the interior pot. |
Elevate your cooking with this editor-approved rice maker. While it’s designed to cook flawless rice, its versatility goes far beyond that. With eight pre-set functions, you can prepare a variety of grains, hearty stews, chilis, soups, and even cakes.
When rice is the star of the meal, the “quick-rice” function delivers perfectly fluffy results in no time. During testing, we were thoroughly impressed by its performance, and we believe it’s a must-have appliance that deserves a permanent place in your kitchen.
Beeville Handy Mix Scraper
| Pros | Cons |
| We loved the built-in scrapers and smart storage solution. | The rubber scrapes on the beaters don’t have the same longevity as the metal portion. |
After testing numerous hand mixers, this model stood out as the clear winner. It boasts an impressive nine-speed settings, a digital display for easy control, and a built-in timer with a light for added convenience.
The standout feature is the rubber scrapers built into the beaters, ensuring every bit of batter and dough is evenly mixed with no waste. Its compact design is ideal for smaller kitchens—its base conveniently sits atop a plastic storage case for the attachments, and the cord coils neatly away.
In our tests, this hand mixer excelled in efficiency, functionality, and versatility. Plus, it comes with useful accessories like dough hooks, balloon whisks, and a Snap-On case to keep everything neatly organized.
Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker
| Pros | Cons |
It’s easy to use with onboard controls and suitable for any sous vide cooking experience level. | It can be loud when in use. |
Sous vide cooking is a foolproof way to achieve precise temperatures for virtually any dish by maintaining water at a consistent set point. During our testing of sous vide cookers, several Anova models impressed us, but this one stood out for its outstanding performance and features.
Its accuracy, straightforward setup, and Wi-Fi connectivity make it a top choice. The companion app provides access to recipes and tutorials, making sous vide cooking even easier. Additionally, the adjustable clamp allows you to securely attach the device to a pot for hands-free convenience.
FAQs
Q1: What is sous vide cooking, and why is it a popular method?
A: Sous vide cooking involves sealing food in a bag and immersing it in water that is brought to and maintained at a precise temperature. This method is popular because it ensures consistent, just-right cooking results for various dishes, from meats to vegetables, without the risk of overcooking or uneven temperatures.
Q2: What features make this Anova sous vide cooker a standout choice?
A: This model stands out for several reasons: its exceptional temperature accuracy, easy setup process, and advanced Wi-Fi connectivity. The Wi-Fi feature allows you to sync the device with a companion app, where you can explore recipes, watch tutorials, and remotely monitor your cooking progress.
Q3: How does the adjustable clamp on this sous vide cooker improve its usability?
A: The adjustable clamp is a practical feature that allows the device to securely attach to a variety of pots, ensuring stability during cooking. This hands-free setup not only makes the cooking process easier but also prevents the need for additional specialized equipment, making it accessible for home chefs.
Q4: Is this sous vide cooker suitable for beginners, or is it more geared toward professional chefs?
A: It’s perfect for both beginners and experienced chefs. The app connectivity simplifies the cooking process by offering step-by-step guidance, recipes, and temperature recommendations. Beginners can confidently start with straightforward dishes, while experienced cooks can explore advanced techniques for professional-quality results.
Q5: Why should home chefs consider investing in this particular sous vide cooker?
A: This sous vide cooker combines precision, convenience, and smart technology to deliver restaurant-quality meals at home. Its ability to maintain perfect temperatures ensures flawless cooking every time, and the app connectivity adds a layer of versatility with guided recipes and real-time monitoring. It’s a valuable tool for anyone who loves to cook and experiment in the kitchen.
